'Brilliant from start to finish': Review of The Jingleclaw at Birmingham Hippodrome

Anthony Lau’s family-friendly show is recommended as a ‘first musical’ for little ones but was honestly just as much fun for the grown-ups too.

As the first production from the new Musical Theatre Department at Birmingham Hippodrome, The Jingleclaw is performed by a small cast made up of six incredibly talented actor-musicians. But these six, along with a strong production team behind them, created an absolutely explosive show.

It tells the story of cool-girl Astrid, whose father is the Mayor of the village. Astrid is a bit of a rebel who longs to live by the beat of her own drum. As the annual Schnoot Noot celebration draws closer, Astrid and her friends are practicing their instruments to put on a festive performance. However, this awakens the Jingleclaw, who hates anything festive. The beast is bent on wrecking the festival and gobbles up the children who get in her way. Astrid goes on a mission to save her friends and rock-out the festive Shnoot Noot festival once and for all. 

For me, the most impressive and special aspect of this show is that the actors play the music live themselves. I was taken aback by the sheer talent of the cast, and it is truly something you have to experience with your own eyes. You will not be disappointed. 

The story, numbers and music is written by Robyn Grant and Tim Gilvin, who are best known for the hit musical Unfortunate.

The show is bursting with creativity. The Moon, which remains part of the set throughout the duration of the musical, acts as narrator and friend to Astrid. When she feels like she can’t play her drums to anyone for fear of being ridiculed, the Moon listens. 

The creativity spans further to the Jingleclaw’s clan, the bats, who are depicted as puppets controlled by the cast themselves. The bats, with their super-sensitive hearing, long for a silent night and not the blaring of the village children's instruments. Laura Cubitt’s movement and puppetry direction of the bats, designed by Mikayla Teodoro, brings much of the show alive as they twist and turn, hang off the Jingleclaw’s huge furry arms, and generally cause mayhem.

Alexia McIntosh, who is best known for her role as Anna of Cleves in the hit musical Six, steals the show as the Jingleclaw - she struts around the stage in her bright orange beast costume, belting her theme song ‘Jingleclaw’s back’ with her brilliant voice and Brummie twang. She absolutely owns the stage and although she plays the baddie (turned goodie) the audience can’t help but love her. 

Isabella Gervais plays the lovable and relatable Astrid, whilst Alex Cardall is a warm-hearted Moon narrator. Mpilo May plays Astrid’s loving father and heart-throb Mayor who loves a bit of Zumba. Sue Appleby is the fussy but funny music teacher Ms Whimsy and Miiya Alexandra is Jacob, the first village kid to be eaten by the Jingleclaw and one who plays some awesome synthesizer in the closing song.

It’s tailored to kids aged three and above but as mentioned earlier, is huge fun for all ages. It only lasted for an hour, which left me wanting more, but also feeling satisfied with what we saw, which was an explosion of colour, glitter, song, and dance. 

The festive production runs from now until January 4, so make sure you go and help Astrid save her friends and put on a Shnoot Noot to remember. 

Five stars!